Kanchenjunga North and South (lodge trek)

Kangchenjunga North and South

Nepal’s second highest peak and the third in the world. The kangchenjunga is located in the north-eastern corner in Taplejung district. Its main ridges which run from N.N.E. to S.S.W. from a natural boundary between these two state, as well as watershed to several important rivers. Twelve miles north of kangchenjunga is the Tibetan frontier. This runs along the main watershed of the Himalayas,which separates the arid plateau of Tibet on the north from the more fertile and rain washed country to the south. On the watershed, however there are not elevations to rival kangchenjunga, so the the mountain and its satellite peaks form a huge mountain massif pushed southwards from the main Himalayan range.

Of independent mountains, there is no finer example than kangchenjunga. It is a mountain great enough to posses its own glaciers radiating from its several summits and though surrounded by many vassal peaks, which add their quota to the ice rivers radiating from the main massif, the glaciers which flow far down to the fringe of the tropical forests cloaking the lower valley are the undisputed possession of the monarch of the the world’s first half dozen peak. Kanchenjunga is the only one that displays its glories to the world at large. Only those who can afford the time and expenses necessary to penetrate the remote fastness from which they spring can view the glories of Everest on the karakorams but kangchenjunga is to be seen easily from anyone of the lower foot hills.

Kangchenjunga is large enough not only to make its own weather, but to catch the full force of ready-made weather in addition. Only low foot-hills separate it from the plain of Bengal and these are not high enough to afford its protection from the sought-west monsoon. The result of this is an annual precipitation of snow that is probably greater than that of any other peak in the Himalayas. Because of this kangchenjunga boasts some of the most magnificent snow and ice scenery in the world.

Kanchenjunga not only breaks the force of the monsoon, but protects the main watershed to the north from its onslaught to a great extent. The result of this is an extra ordinary variation of scenery and climate with in a small area. The dry, almost dusty hill at the head of the Lhonak valley, The Dodang Nyima range and the plateaux of Tibet beyond are in striking contrast to the valley radiating southwards from kangchenjunga, for here is a dry reddish brown country with a snow level appreciably higher and glaciers considerably smaller than those of kangchenjunga and its immediate neighbours.

There is probably no other mountain where the mountaineer is exposed to greater dangers than he is on kangchenjunga, for not only has the ice avalanches to contend with, but incertain weather as well weather in calculable both in cause and effect.

With such a mountain before their eyes, it is perhaps small wonder that the peoples in habiting the valleys round kanchenjung have become impregnated with the grandeur and mystery of the great mountain. To them its five summits are the FIVE treasures of the snow and on them rests the throne of an all powerful god. Their prosperity and even their lives depend on the good humour of this god, for He is able to blast their crops with his storms or destroy their village with his floods and avalanches.

Roughly speaking, there are four main lines of approach of kangchenjunga, up the valley of the Tamor river in Nepal, passing Ghunsa and Kangbachen, up the Yalung valley in Nepal, up the valley of the Teesta river in sikkim, and up the Talung valley also in sikkim. Between the Yalung and Talung valleys there is also the Rangit river, which has its sources in the glaciers of Kabru, 2400 feet, one of kangchenjunga’s out post peaks to the south.

In this mountain area there are eleven peaks over 7000 m high are has many beautiful glaciers, probably the longest in the world.

The covering of kangchenjunga area is 55% of the Taplejung district area and 1.40% of the total area of country. Its 65% area is covered by high Himalayas and mountain rocks and ice and remaining 55% is covered by forests, shrub-land, grass-land and agricultural-land .the climate of this area varies from subtropical monsoon at lower elevation to alpine. The highest rain-fall is recorded in the month of August 400m.m. lowest in December.

The kangchenjunga area represents one of the richest pocket of biological diversity in its three major river valley. These valleys are distinct from one another in possessing varied forest types and floristic elevents. Its diverse climate and topography bestow it with tremendous floristic diversity of plant life-at least 2500 species of flowering plants.